About the position
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse with graduate (Masters or Doctorate) education and training in advanced physiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment, in addition to a particular area of specialty. The CNS may diagnose, treat, and prescribe, dispense, and/or administer medications, TPN, and blood products within the APP-CNS's scope of practice, and consistent with the APP-CNS's skill, training, competence, professional judgment and policies of UVA Health. The CNS helps integrate evidenced-based care across UVA Health through three spheres of impact: Clinical Practice, Nursing/Nursing Teams, and System. A key focus of CNS practice is to apply advanced clinical knowledge through direct care, act as a clinical expert for specific clinical populations, support nursing and interprofessional staff in the review, synthesis, and implementation of evidence-based practice by serving as an educator, mentor and consultant. The CNS, in collaboration with interprofessional leaders within the care continuum, identifies opportunities for improvement in patient outcomes, clinical competency of the interprofessional team as well as organization outcomes. Through providing direct patient care services as part of a healthcare team, the CNS translates advanced clinical expertise, expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies to impact the care of patients, families, and populations.
Responsibilities
- Evaluates and provides care, treatment, and consultation for patients with unique or complex health concerns within specialty scope of practice, utilizing advanced assessment skills
- Develops treatment plans and provides education/coaching to patients and families with complex needs
- Performs designated procedures after demonstrated competency and approval through UVA Health Clinical Staff credentialing and privileging
- Prescribes and recommends pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions within the APP CNS's scope of practice, and consistent with the APP CNSs skill, training, competence, professional judgment and policies of UVA Health
- Uses advanced communication skills to facilitate collaboration among patient, family, and clinicians to address complex care needs and promote ethical decision-making
- In collaboration with patients/families and interprofessional team, leads and facilitates coordinated care for individuals and populations to improve and promote health care outcomes
- Acts as a clinical resource and mentor, utilizing both formal and informal opportunities for the education and coaching of nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team
- Partners with interprofessional clinical leadership to evaluate nursing and patient outcomes, contributing to establishment of strategic plans to optimize outcomes
- Works with diverse population as an advocate for a patient's unique preference
- Conducts clinical consultation, including coaching with bedside nurses, regarding performance of complex patient care interventions
- Designs evidence-based, cost-effective interventions, including advanced nursing therapies, to meet the multifaceted needs of complex patients
- Provides leadership interprofessional and nursing teams in identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based practices and research opportunities
- Facilitates education to nurses, students and the interprofessional team to garner greater competency and professional growth
- Promotes a healthy work environment through expert communication, facilitation skills and conveying mutual trust and respect to others on the healthcare team
- Participates in, supports, and leads quality improvement initiatives to advance patient care delivery and improve outcomes through best practice implementation
- Evaluates the implications of access, quality, safety, and cost on the delivery of healthcare
- Collects and analyzes patient data to document the impact of nursing practice on outcomes, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness
- Mentors and engages nurses and the clinical team as a role model encouraging their own professional development and competency
Requirements
- Master's Degree as an Advance Practice Provider (Clinical Nurse Specialist)
- Advanced Practice CNS Certification (ANCC or AACN) in respective specialty population (Adult-Gero, Neonatal, Pediatric)
- License or license eligible as an Advance Practice Provider (Clinical Nurse Specialist) as set forth by the state of Virginia
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required
- Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS/NRP), as required specific to position
- Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), as required specific to position
